Water everywhere...

Water everywhere and not a drop to drink… This is the Internet, at least from my perspective. A universal answer to every question, a solution to every problem, and an honest opportunity for everyone. The truth is rather different. As in real life, things are not the same for all of us. One thing is certain: everyone is on the Internet these days. Being present there isn’t any guarantee of success whatsoever.

I’ve been making ends meet through various music-related activities for many years now. However, I still haven’t found a way to turn my creative work and love of music and art into a lucrative career in the long run. Although I’m certain of my talent, potential, and creative abilities, I was just not born as an entrepreneur. In other words, I don’t know how to sell what I have. I’m pursuing music primarily out of love and because this is my personal forte. Therefore, I’m always in a discord between my drives and expectations as an artist and some tangible benefit from all this.

If you try searching the Internet with the question of how to make money by composing instrumental music, you’ll probably receive a few typical suggestions. Music for media, production libraries, and placement on streaming platforms and online stores. For those positive by nature, this is plenty of exciting possibilities. I’m, however, a sceptic by nature and a realist by experience. I’ll try to explain why I still have my doubts about every one of these options, and I’m not sure which way to go.

Music for media is probably the most prestigious of the mentioned. After all, the world today is driven by media. There is also a world of film, which always sounds attractive and glamorous. But a big question is how to become a part of this. Who will give you a true opportunity with so much competition around? How and where to even start? You probably won’t get a straight answer on this, except maybe from AI.

But even if you by some chance succeed, is this really what you’ve been hoping for? From what I’ve heard and read, music for media is a world full of stress, rush, merciless competition, lack of free time, and constant adaptation. This is just not what I’m hoping to find in music and art. I don’t doubt, however, that I would be capable of making music like this. Music for media is full of cliches and trends. At the same time, everyone is expecting to hear “something different”, which is completely contradictory, to say the least.

The other option is music for production libraries. It seems that you can more easily succeed here than in music for media, but again with a ton of compromises and question marks. For starters, there are lot of competition here that also includes these days inescapable AI. Furthermore, this is more of a trade or a craft than an art. You need to stick with what goes and what is expected rather than following your artistic instincts. One of the benefits is that this area is probably far less stressful than music for media. But apparently, you’ll wait for quite some time to see any tangible results.

The third option is streaming platforms and online stores. You can place your music on those fairly easily and affordably. But what after this? Who will notice you in all that crowd? What if you’re producing instrumental music that by itself isn’t interesting to the masses? If you Google it, you will receive answers like: be present on social media, try contacting influencers, pay for various advertisements and playlist placements, tug people by their sleeve, plead, beg… No thanks. I don’t want to be such an artist.

Finally, there are good old record labels that are these days, thanks to the Internet, a media geared toward chosen ones. In other words, those with connections, background, and references. Also, it’s all about money. No one will invest time and money in unaffirmed artists these days, regarding of their qualities and potential.

So what to do, then? Continue developing yourself as a musician, composer, producer, and artist, and continue to collect quality materials, in the hope that someday someone relevant will finally recognize you. This is an ultimate test of dedication and a true love for creativity. After all, a true success is finding success under your own terms.